Thursday, January 13, 2011

I'm A Little Afeered

One of my resolutions for this year was to take riding lessons.  I want to be able to use my seat better and purposefully give leg cues to Estes.  Sharon, who was the Key Grip on Horse Master, offered to give me lessons on her retired boy, Manassis. 

Photo by Heidi Nyland, The Whole Picture, LLC

Is he a handsome feller or what?  Sharon and I set my first lesson for this coming Saturday.  On one hand, I'm absolutely excited and can't wait.  On the other hand, I'm terrified.  I've never had a riding lesson (at least not that I can remember - my godmother had me up on Flame when I was just a young 'un, but I don't remember any lessons).  Anyway, I've never had a riding lesson - what if I don't get it?

Don't laugh.  I'm really terrified about being a totally uncoordinated doofus.  I don't speak the language; hell, I don't even understand English tack.  That God for Sharon during Horse Master.  We had three English riders and since I was the Horse Grip, I was supposed to be able to help with tack adjustments and such.  I know I looked like a deer in headlights.  She took pity on me and gave me some very, very basic lessons on the tack.

I really want to do this, and know that it will help me, but now that it's almost here.  Well, that's a whole 'nother story.

Mom's going with me to video tape and take pictures.  I just hope Manassis doesn't give his mommy a bad report about my attempt at riding.
Picture by Heidi Nyland, The Whole Picture, LLC

10 comments:

cheyenne jones said...

Never too old to learn!

Anonymous said...

Think of it as an opportunity to have fun, and if you don't do something wrong, how can you learn anything?

Mrs. Mom said...

OK-
1) I have seen you ride. You have a GOOD seat.

(And I wouldn't say that if you didn't-- you should know that by now ;) )

2) If you can ride bareback, you can ride anything. It's true. And then when you think about WHERE you ride bareback... giiiirrrlll...

3) You HAVE had lessons. Every.Single.Horse. You have EVER thrown a leg over has given you knowledge. Every.Single.Ride. is a lesson. ;)

So quit already. Go take a "formal" lesson, rock it out, HAVE FUN, and report back!!!! ;)

xoxo

BrownEyed Cowgirl said...

Oh man, I know that feeling. It's tough to step out of a person's comfort zone.

Afterward, you'll wonder what the heck you was so worried about though, because I think you have a lot better grasp on the principles than you are giving yourself credit for.

And look at that beautiful boy! I am jealous.

He's gonna make learning easy because he knows his job well and if you just focus on doing what the instructor tells you, he'll do what he's supposed to.

Have fun!!

wilsonc said...

Sounds to me like you already know the basics. Now you are going to learn theory and apply the theory to the basics. Everything you do and why you do it will make sense to you. The goal is to never stop learning and applying the lessons we've learned. That your even bothering to do this with all the experience you already have speaks volumes about your character, intelligence, and love for the horse.

TjandMark/AKA PearlandHawkeye said...

I get anxious trying new things and often it is because I too think I will be a doofus. I laid in bed last night and discussed this with my hubby and I realized how it is limiting. At any rate, at my age, I should just kick up my heels a little and have fun. Who gives a rip, really? Have fun. Smile. And don't take it too seriously.

Shirley said...

Just enjoy riding that beautiful horse. You'll be so busy learning it will fly by. I took dressage lessons on Beamer- very basic stuff, and it's a lot of work. You'll be too busy to be nervous!

GunDiva said...

Thank you all for your supportive comments. I know I can ride - or at least stay on top of a hors - I just want to be better and have more confidence with the basics. I want to be able to ride Estes to her ability, not mine.

Momma Fargo said...

You had me at the pic...what a gorgeous horse! And you go girl! I'm so proud of you to go through with your goals.

allhorsestuff said...

He is sooo handsome!
What a nice gal to share him with you!
You'll get the hang of it with the tack...just takes some repititions~